1976 Topps #537 - Tony Muser

• Tony Muser was a major leaguer in 1969 and from 1971-1978. He was mostly a first baseman but also saw some playing time at third base and in the outfield. Muser was signed by the Boston Red Sox in 1967. Tony played in the  minors from 1967-1969. Muser had a small taste of the majors in 1969 when the Red Sox called him up in September. Tony played in two games and went 1 for 9 (.111).
• Muser spent the 1970 season in the minors -- he played for Cincinnati's AAA Indianapolis club on a loan arrangement. During spring training in 1971 Tony was traded with Vincente Romo to the Chicago White Sox for Duane Josephson and Danny  Murphy. Muser spent most of the 1971 season in the minors and batted .313 in 11 games for Chicago.
• Tony started the 1972 season in the minors and was called up in early July. Muser was used mostly as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement and batted .279 in 61 at bats.
• Muser became the starting first baseman in late June of 1973 after an injury to Dick Allen. Tony batted .285 in 106 games but he hit only four home runs and the White Sox really missed Allen's power.
• Muser returned to a backup role in 1974. Tony played in 103 games and batted .291 in 206 at bats. In 1975 Tony started with the White Sox (.243 in 43 games) and was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on June 15 for Jesse Jefferson. Muser was used mainly as a defensive replacement and batted .317 in 82 at bats for the Orioles to finish the 1975 season.
• Tony was a backup first baseman and defensive replacement for Lee May in 1976. Tony also played at 1B most of the time when May was used at DH. Muser played in 136 games and batted .227 in 336 at bats. In 1977 Muser backed up at 1B again and played in 120 games. He batted .229 in 118 at bats.
• Muser was released before the 1978 season. He signed with the Milwaukee Brewers and spent the first three months of the season playing for AAA Spokane. Tony was brought up to the Brewers in July and batted .133 in 15 games. Muser retired from major league baseball with a total of seven lifetime home runs.
• Tony played in Japan in 1979. He came back to the Brewers organization in 1980 and managed in their farm system through the 1984 season. Muser coached for the Brewers from 1985-1989. He went back to manage Milwaukee's AAA Denver club in 1991 and 1992.
• Muser was the hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs from 1993-1997. Tony became the manager of the Kansas City Royals on July 9, 1997 and managed the team until he was fired early in the 2002 season.
• Tony was a coach with the San Diego Padres from 2003-2006. He managed a rookie league team for the Padres in 2007 and he is now a roving minor league instructor.
• Liked to face: Steve Hargan (.500 in 14 AB); Jim Palmer (.467 in 15 AB); Doyle Alexander (.389 in 18 AB)
• Hated to face: Jim Kern (.000 in 12 AB); Vern Ruhle (.071 in 14 AB); Bill Singer (.095 in 21 AB)

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